On July 20, 2015, the president signed into law
the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015. This act allows Veterans
to apply for an identification card directly from VA. The VA
identification card will allow Veterans to demonstrate proof of service
for discounts at private restaurants and businesses.

When available, Veterans will be able to request
an ID card from VA for a fee. VA is currently making plans to implement
the new law in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible while
protecting Veterans’ personal information. We estimate that VA will
be able implement the program in 2017. The cost of each card has not yet
been determined.

In the meantime, Veterans who would like an
identification card that displays their military service do not have to
wait until VA implements the new law. You have several options:

You can access and print a free Veterans identification proof of
service letter through the joint VA/DoD web portal, eBenefits. This
serves as proof of honorable service in the Uniformed Services, as
defined in laws about the Department of Defense (DoD). Veterans can
get a free eBenefits account by going to
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage.

Your driver’s license or state identification card can carry a
Veteran designation. This option is currently available in 49
states, along with Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. We
expect the 50th state, Washington, to offer this service in August
2017. Veterans wanting more information should contact their state
department of motor vehicles or state department of Veterans affairs
at
http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm.

Veterans who have retired from military service can receive an
identification card from DoD. For information on obtaining or
renewing such a card, please contact your nearest DoD identification
card facility. You can find the location of these facilities through
this link:
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site.